 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-04 15:27
I notice more and more everyday, a clarinet (and other wood winds, but mostly the clarinet) playing in the background of MANY commercials, sitcoms, and movies.
There is one Cartoon the kids watch that I just love to listen to because of the clarinet.
I was just curious about how many of you have been able to do this, and how did you come across this opportunity.
Becky
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-05-04 19:40
I suspect (maybe a little too jadedly) that much of this is sampled synth stuff.
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-05 00:07
I realize that most will be "synth". But some IS NOT.
Someone here on the board at one time made the comment about doing this sort of work.
Just curious.
Becky
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-05 01:04
A number of years ago, I did some background playing for ESPN, for a series entitled "The Legendary World of Golf". It ran for about 12 weeks, nationwide (I think).
I happened to get the opportunity because the producer of that particular series owned a summer home in the area I live in, and decided to use some local pros to record the music for the opening and closing show credits. The theme music was written by a local jazz pianist/composer, and for the recording he was free to choose the musicians he felt comfortable working with.
The actual recording took only one day, with a minimum number of retakes (proud to say none caused by me), and pick-ups. I don't specifically remember what the fee was, but it was a substantial amount of money for just a few hours of work...GBK
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-05-05 04:12
More than a fair share of the supporting music we hear and see on TV sitcoms, made-for TV movies, commercials, (jingles in particular) Hollywood motion pictures and stage are covered by contracted studio "doublers"(CBS, ABC, NBC, Disney/Touchstone, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, MGM have their own orchestras) and NOT exclusive clarinet players. They often play ALL the single and double reeds and on call to play just about any idiom in every setting imaginable. These cats are top-notched musicians who are extremely literate, bascially reading machines. They can play all the styles on demand and known for their versatility and talent for laying it down quickly and "right the first time".
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-05 04:40
I guess that answers that question.
Thanks Ken.
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-05-05 15:01
An especially nice woodwind quintet plays the background music for "Dragon Tales", a PBS kids show. The clarinet is superb. Does anyone know who it is? Whoever it is, he or she is performing a great public service by fixing an ideal concept of clarinet tone in the subconscious of a whole mob of kids, nationwide.
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-05 18:28
Dragon Tails on PBS. That is the cartoon that my children like to watch. They are starting to get too old for it but for some reason they like that one. Maybe it's the music. 
I would be very disappointed to find out it was synth.
Becky
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-05 22:40
This all leads me to comment ... turn off your televisions, and pick up your clarinets.
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2002-05-09 05:00
A recent edition of Windplayer magazine covered this subject very well. You will find much clarinet use in older TV shows with non-synth incidental music because clarinets are good blending instruments, and can be unobtrusive solists as well. Ditto for stage musicals.
One interesting item in the article on woodwind doublers is that most started as clarinet players, and they consider clarinet to be the most difficult instrument.
Studio work, however, is hard to get these days even in LA. Producers are often the composers as well, and may have a Kurzweil electronic keyboard in the control booth that can simulate most instruments at the player's whim. The Windplayer article stated that only about a dozen of these doublers (usually playing 3 or 4 sizes each of clarinet, flute and saxophone plus possible double reeds) were really being supported full time in the movies. They also note that doubling is a VERY high-stress job in an atmosphere like that in LA.
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